


W* 





1 



■ - * ■ 43 



|H 



I 



I 



BR 

5 Go 
fash 






ga^jQsgggagaggaaQsgggacgcpga 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

- 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. % 




'fn*: 



!l 



Wivftm rf ft* (Stab *f #lm#i 



IN AUBURN 



"V 



1/ 



$jf istartj trf t&e IGJb ttrcto tit ©fcmt in §,xxhuvn> 



A DISCOURSE 



PREACHED AT THE 



FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 
THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1867, 



CONTAINING A 

REVIEW OF THE PLANTING AND GROWTH OF 

ALL THE DENOMINATIONS IN THE CITY, 

AND OF THE 

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 

WITH STATISTICS OF PRESENT MEMBERSHIP, FINANCES, 

SABBATH SCHOOLS, AND SKETCHES OF EMINENT 

PASTORS AND PROFESSORS OF THE PAST. 



J 



BY REV. HENRY FOWLER ; 

Pastor of Central Church, Auburn, New York. 



FOR SALE AT THE BOOKSTORES OP C. P. WILLIAMS AND OP R. T. PA 
ATD3URN; CHARLES SCRIBNER & CO., 654 BROADWAY, N. Y. ; 
PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE, 1334 CHESTNUT-ST^PHrL'A* 



2f VVASH\H^X 



AN HISTOKICAL DISCOURSE. 



1 Kings, 22 : 4, " I am as thou art, My people as thy people" 

The topic is the History of the Church of Christ, in 
Auburn. 

There are several households of faith, known by distinct 
names, but they are one in Christ. A review of each others' pro- 
gress will strengthen Christian unity as we are moved to sym- 
pathy in others, trials and are grateful on this thanksgiving day, 
for the prosperities of all. Each one shall say to the other, in 
the words of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, "I am as thou art, 
my people as thy people." 

The first settlement of Auburn, then included in the military 
township of Aurelius, was made in 1793, by Col. John L. Hard- 
enburgh, an officer of the Revolution, who settled on the land 
assigned to him as compensation for military service, and gave 
his name to the village. Not long after, William Bostwick es- 
tablished himself on the west side of Owasco outlet, and as tra- 
dition affirms, felled the first tree. 

The earliest attempt at religious organization in this town- 
ship, was made in the year 1801, eight years after the settle- 
ment. Col. Hardenburgh, with his family, for several years after 
his coming, attended church at Owasco, where the Reformed 
Dutch had commenced an organization. 

Rev. David Higgins was sent into Western New York by the 
Connecticut Missionary Society, in the latter part of the year 
1801. He preached at Cayuga, Grover's Settlement, Aurelius, 
and Hardenburgh's Corners, once in four weeks at each place. 

There were at that time twelve frame dwellings, six on each 
side of the Owasco Outlet, besides two log houses, a grist mill, 



a store, one or two shops, and the red school house, standing on 
what is now the south-west corner of Genesee and South streets. 
This was Auburn, only sixty-five years ago, when William 
Bostwick, (who with his wife and three children in the choir, 
led the singing,) Dr. Burt, Horace Hills, Henry Ammerman, 
Capt. Stevenson, Dan Hyde, Silas Hawley, with the women, 
famous in that and subsequent time for prayer and good works, 
composed the most of Mr. Higgins' congregation. The preacher 
was an earnest, godly, and portly man. His labors were blest 
through a long and faithful ministry in various places, till the 
year 1840, when he died in Norwalk, Ohio, on a June Sabbath 
afternoon, having attended his morning service as usual. 

The Sabbath services were held either in the red school house 
or in Wm. Bostwick's public house, in the large room used in 
turn as church, court house, ball room, and public hall, as the 
inhabitants of an infant settlement might desire, until the year 
1807, when the Court House was built, and was used by this 
and other religious Societies, until provided with churches. 

THE EIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

Was organized as a Congregational Church, July 14th, 1811, 
by three men and six women, in the long room of the tavern, 
known as the Centre House, kept by David Horner, and situ- 
ated on the corner of Genesee and Market streets. 

The following is the quaint record of the organization : "The 
propriety and importance of an establishment of this nature, hav- 
• ing been a subject of frequent and serious conversation among 
a number of individuals who were solicitous that it might be 
effected, and having sought from time to time, Divine direction 
in a measure of so great moment, having often conversed to- 
gether on the essential subjects of experimental, practical and 
doctrinal religion, and having agreed on certain articles of faith 
and practice to be adopted by them as members of a Christian 
church, the following persons, did, on the Lord's day, of July 
14th, 1811, come together, in the time of public worship, openly 
acknowledge, and mutually profess the succeeding articles of 
the Christian Faith, renew their covenant with God, and unite 
in a relation together." 



The following is the record of the meeting held to give a call 
to the first pastor, and his answer: 

"At a meeting of the church, at the house of Silas Hawley, 
duly warned for the purpose of giving a call (April 16th, 1813,) 
to the Rev. Hezekiah N. Woodruff, to take the pastorial charge 
of this church, the Rev. Francis Pomeroy was chosen modera- 
tor. On motion it was unanimously voted, the church being 
fully satisfied with the ministerial qualifications of the said H. 
N. Woodruff, do freely and cheerfully give him a call to take the 
pastorial charge of this church and to minister to the congrega- 
tion in all things which pertain to a good minister of Jesus 
Christ, and that he be free from worldly care and avocations, 
we do covenant and agree that we will, to the utmost of our 
power, endeavor that the sums of money which are subscribed 
for his support, and made payable to the trustees of the society, 
not only those, but such as shall hereafter be subscribed for that 
purpose, shall be collected and paid over to him agreeable, to the 
stipulations contained in the call of the trustees which will ac- 
company this instrument." 

Answer. — "The subject of your call to take the pastorial 
oversight of the church and congregation in this place has long 
been familiar to my mind and has become in my view both a 
matter of duty and pleasure, and at the same time, I have rea- 
son to be astonished at the providence of God, both towards 
myself and you, by which this event is to be accomplished. 
But I hope, sincerely, it will be for the glory of God, and for 
our mutual spiritual benefit and growth in grace. The offer you 
have made me of a pecuniary nature in order to free me from 
worldly cares and temporal embarrassments, although I have 
reasons to fear they will not be found fully adequate, yet I am 
induced to accept from the following considerations : That the 
earth is the Lord's and He giveth it to whomsoever he will, 
and is able to supply my needs ; that the church and congrega- 
tion are young, and although in a growing, flourishing condi- 
tion, yet many heavy burdens and experiences must lie upon 
them which I should be happy to alleviate, and also that I put 
full confidence in the trustees, that [if at any time it should not 
be found adequate, they will make use~of such means and de- 



6 

vise such measures from time to time, to the utmost of their abil- 
ity, as will make me comfortable and happy — while I endeavor 
to convince them that I am willing to spend and be spent for 
them, and am not seeking their's, but them. And should I be 
called in Divine providence to attend to some worldly business, 
to visit my friends which are at a great distance, which may re- 
quire my absence a few Sabbaths, I hope the spirit of love and 
forbearance will be exercised towards me, and that the 'God of 
love and peace which brought from the dead our Lord Jesus 
Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep' will be with us and 
bless us through Jesus Christ our Lord." 

August 5th, 1814, the church unanimously became Presbyte- 
rian. It then numbered 41 . members. John Oliphant, Horace 
Hills, and Silas Hawley, were elected the first elders. 

In August, 1816, Mr. Woodruff was dismissed, and in Novem- 
ber of the same year, the church gave a unanimous call to Rev. 
Dirck C. Lansing, to become their pastor, which was promptly 
accepted. The present house of worship, finished at this time, 
five years after the organization, was dedicated on the eighth of 
March, 1817, and the lot upon which it stands was donated by 
Col. Hardenburgh. The original size of the house was 52 by 55 
feet. It was regarded at that day as a model of church archi- 
tecture. The population at that time was 1500. The same year 
the State Prison was located and its foundations laid. The 
church was enlarged to its present size in the year 1828. I ask 
you to note that at the time of the dedication of the church, the 
membership was 60, and six months after, it was 207. 

In June, 1829, Dr. Lansing was dismissed, and was installed 
over the Second Presbyterian Church in Utica, having been 
pastor here for over twelve years. In 1834 he returned to Au- 
burn for a residence, and assisted Father Hopkins, who was in 
feeble health for three years. In 1842-3 he officiated as stated 
supply. 

Dr. Lansing came to Auburn at the age of 32, in the prime of 
youthful vigor. Sprung from an ancient, honorable, and wealthy 
family, his grandfather being patroon or patentee of a large 
manor, near Troy, (after whom the town of Lansingburgh is 
named,) a graduate of Yale College, as a young man noticeable 



for vivacity of temperament, heartiness of feeling, and high 
spirit, doing whatever he did with enthusiasm, a natural orator, 
endowed with genius, commanding in his presence, he prompt- 
ly won the hearts of the people, and stirred all classes with the 
magnetism of his individuality and the fervor of his eloquence. 
He was remarkable for his affectionate interest in children an d 
for his success in addressing them, and many young people were 
led by his kind and simple teachings to consecrate their hearts 
to Christ. 

Lewis Gaylord Clark thus describes him : "Dr. Lansing was 
the first really live preacher that I ever heard. Very crowded 
was the meeting house of our boyhood, when it was known 
that Dr. Lansing of Auburn was to exchange with our pastor. 
He was one of the most electrically eloquent preachers we ever 
heard — Bascom alone excepted. Everything spoke, his long, 
slender figure, the graceful sweep of his arm, the flash of his 
black eye, the winning tones of his voice, all combined to rivet 
the attention and compel the admiration of his hearers. In 
gesture he was only excelled by Harry Clay. He read a hymn 
with more effect than any minister I ever heard. Sometimes in 
giving out a'hymn he would pause, turn the book upon its face, 
on the pulpit cushion, and comment upon what he had read, 
often in the most touching and feeling manner. Well do I remem- 
ber his pausing in this way at the verse, 

"When I survey the wondrous cross 
On which the Prince of Glory died." 

His remarks upon this beautiful verse, although brief, almost 
constituted a sermon. They were replete with tenderness and 
deep feeling. His hymns were always selected with remarka- 
ble adaptation to the subjects of his sermons. On one occa- 
sion a hymn written by my brother, was sung in Washington 
Square by 5000 children, after having been read by Dr. Lan- 
sing. It was a proud moment for the writer when he heard 
those innocent voices sending up to Heaven in one blended as- 
piration the burthen of his lines. Dr. Lansing's cordial praise 
of those lines upon the spot, their execution by so many chil- 
dren in that beautiful square, on one of the loveliest of early sum- 



8 

mer days, was one of the writer's most cherished memories 
during life." 

A Utica friend thus describes Dr. Lansing : "In reading one 
of the fervent, devotional psalms of David, his spirit really 
seemed, as Carlyle expresses it, "to catch some echo of it, 
through the old, dim centuries ; feeling far off in his own heart, 
what it was to other hearts made like unto his own. I re- 
member especially, one loA r ely Sunday morning in spring his 
reading the hymn 

"Was it for crimes that J had done 
He groaned upon the tree, 
A-ma-zing pity, grace unknown ! 
And L-o-y-e beyond degree !" 

ISTo words can convey to you the infinite tenderness with which 
he pronounced this hymn, looking round upon the congregation, 
his eyes swimming with tears." 

Mr. Elliott, the distinguished portrait painter, mentions a 
circumstance which he witnessed in this church. "It was a cold 
November day, and Dr. Lansing was preaching with his cloak 
on. He was about concluding: his discourse and was dwelling 
with extreme fervor upon the vanities of this world, the pride 
of life, the fame of earthly station, the profuse adornment of this 
poor, frail, failing, dying body, when approaching the edge of 
the pulpit, he swung his dark blue cloak gracefully from his 
shoulders, slipped two rings from his long slender fingers, and 
dropped them all into the area .below, in front of the deacon's 
seat, saying as he did so, "Thus do I cast off all these poor 
adornments of this mortal body, these perishing baubles of an 
hour. Let us pray for a robe of righteousness to adorn the soul, 
that we may ourselves become the jewels which sparkle through 
eternity in the diadem of the Redeemer. Let us pray !" 

One who has ever heard Dr. Lansing in prayer can easily con- 
ceive what a supplication followed this appeal to the feelings of 
his congregation. There was nothing melodramatic in the act. 
There was not a single person in the congregation, I venture to 
say, who did not regard it as the result of spontaneous, irrepres- 
sible emotion, 

In a semi-centennial discourse, Dr. Lansing thus sums up the 
general results of his ministry : "To sum up all, to the glory 



of the blessed and adorable G-od, I would say that I have been 
instrumental in establishing various institutions of learning, for 
the instruction of both sexes ; was one of the original trustees 
of Hamilton College; was the principal building committee and 
financial agent of Auburn Theological Seminary, and for four 
years gave occasional instruction in the department of Sacred 
Rhetoric. I have been instrumental in erecting, enlarging or 
modifying eleven houses of worship. For all this I adore and 
magnify the great and blessed God. But more than all this, 
and unutterably beyond and above it all, I do adore Him for 
having condescended to employ me, so unworthy as I am, in be- 
ing principally instrumental in promoting at least sixty revivals 
of religion, in upwards of forty different places." 

Rev. Josiah Hopkins was installed on the 28th of September, 
1830, and dismissed April, 1846. 

Father Hopkins, as a public speaker, was a contrast to Dr. 
Lansing. His power lay in his prudence, devoutness, wisdom, 
constancy, and clear exposition of the law of God. He expoun- 
ded the Scriptures with conciseness and cogency, and he presen- 
ted the doctrines and practical truths of Christianity with fidel- 
ity and in order. He was one of the preachers who is not 
afraid to attack errors in doctrine. He felt called to use his 
power for years after he came here, specially against the false 
system of TTniversalism. Upon this he dealt incessant blows. 
While he was thus discomfiting error, he was presenting in 
clear, cogent statement, and with earnest solemnity, the justice 
of God's law, the plan of salvation, and the saving merits of 
Christ. His preaching was throughout effective for the thor- 
ough conversion of sinners, and the grounding of God's people 
in the faith. He was calm, patient, "apt to teach, sober, just, 
holy, holding fast the faithful word, and able by sound doc- 
trine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." 

On the 29th of July, 1846, Mr. Henry A. Nelson, a licentiate 
was ordained and installed, and remained pastor for ten years, 
when he removed to St. Louis. Dr. Nelson has just accepted the 
professorship of systematic and pastoral theology in Lane Sem- 
inary. He was moderator of the last general assembly. He is 
not yet properly the subject of history. 



10 

Charles Hawley, the present pastor, was installed Nov. 5th, 
1857. 

In January, 1818, the membership of this church was 235. 
In February, 1823, it was 475. This has been the average until 
lately, when the number has increased to 591. 

One hundred and one were added during the year 1866. Reg- 
ular church collections during the same year, amounted to 82,378, 
miscellaneous benefactions, $1,800, congregational expenses, 
$4,290. The pastor's salary is $2,000. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The first gospel sermon known to be preached in Cayuga 
County, was by Elder David Irish, a Baptist at Scipio, in 1794. 
He was born in Dutches Co., 1757, and lived until he was about 
17 years old in ignorance of divine things, when he was con- 
verted, manifested a gift for public 'speaking, and at 30 years of 
age became a preacher. In 1794 he came to this country, then 
a wilderness, and raised the standard of the Cross. With a zeal, 
love and perseverance, seldom surpassed, he prosecuted the work 
of the Lord, preaching indifferent settlements, and gathering 
bands of disciples. In five years ten Baptist churches 
were planted in this region, consisting of 497 members, 
principally through the faithful labors of Elder Irish, and 
in 1799 these churches were united under the name of 
the Scipio General Conference. We have now in this city a 
Christian woman, who is the 15th child of this admirable mis- 
sionary, and emulates his labors as she visits from house to house, 
the representative of the Female Bible Society. 

The Baptist Church in Auburn, was constituted Feb. 17th, 
1819, by a council composed of delegates from the First Church 
in Aurelius, and the churches in Mentz, Brutus, and Owasco. 
The church numbered 36, and their first pastor was Elder C. P. 
Wyckoff, who preached his first sermon in the Court House, 
June 4th, 1820. He labored for ten years and left the 
church well established, with a convenient house of worship — 
the brick building on South street, now occupied as a furni- 
ture ware-room. He was a man of excellent sense, and highly 
respected. He was not a great preacher, but a good pastor. 
He was succeeded by John Blain, who would, in these days, 



11 

be called a "sensation preacher", and was in striking contrast to 
his calm and careful predecessor. Daring one year of Elder 
Blain's ministration, 157 were added to the church by baptism, 
the largest number ever received in one year. Mr. Blain re- 
mained three years, till 1833, and was succeeded by Rev. I. M. 
Graves, who proved to be unsound in the faith, was dismissed 
at the end of two years, and afterwards became an Universal- 
ist preacher. 

Elder S. S. Parr, became pastor in the fall of 1835, and ser- 
ved the church between three and four years. His labors were 
crowned with the Divine blessing from the beginning to the 
close. He left the church in a highly prosperous condition. 

James Johnson, a Scotchman, became pastor in 1839. He 
was a man of superior talent, but so arbitrary in discipline as 
to cause a division of the church. Mr. Johnson, with a minori- 
ty seceded, and held meetings in the Court House for about a 
year, when the enterprise was given up. 

Elder A. Pinney came in 1841, aad remained two years. A 
powerful revival in which 95 were baptized, signalized his 
labors. 

Elder J. S. Backus became pastor in the spring of 1843, and 
continued 7 years. The present stone church had been built in 
1833-4, but a debt remained upon it. Elder Backus found 
the church under heavy pecuniary embarrassments, and divided 
in their views upon subjects connected with the labors of former 
pastors. By his faithful and judicious efforts the church was 
delivered from debt, and became united and prosperous. Dr. 
Backus is now chairman of the Baptist Home Missionary So- 
ciety, and is widely known as a man of energy and financial 
ability, as well as of devotion to the cause ol his Master. 

W. P. Pattison was an acceptable pastor, from 1850 to '55, 
and was succeeded by Rev. A. M. Hopper, settled March 1st, 
1857, and dismissed July 1860. The present pastor, Rev. P.P. 
Bishop, was settled in Feb., 1861. 

A year ago the church edifice was thoroughly repaired at an 
expense of $2,500. The present membership is 388, 23 were 
received the last year. $1,500 is paid the pastor. Donations the 
last year to the regular church benevolent societies were $259. 



12 

A review of the history of this church, shows that it has been 
greatly blest with revivals, and yet not exempt from trial. Be- 
sides the one under Mr. Johnson's pastorate, there have been 
two seasons of adversity, one in its infancy, when diverse views 
about a case of discipline threatened annihilation, and the other 
from Campbelism which endangered the true faith. Now the 
steady growth and excellent standing of the church promise a 
future of prosperity. 

saint peter's church 

Was organized in July, 1805. Win, J. Vredenburgh, and Dr. 
H. Burt were elected wardens. Thomas Jeffries, J. Booth, Timo- 
thy Hatch, Wm. Bostwick, J .Higby, Joel Lake, J. Pierson, and 
E. Phelps, vestrymen. Before this organization an Episcopal 
congregation had been collected, and had enjoyed the occasional 
services of Rev. Davenport Phelps, the first missionary of this 
denomination who remained any length of time in this region. 
He administered the first recorded baptism in November 1803, 
upon the second son of William Bostwick. From this date to 
July, 1826, a period of twenty-three years, the recorded bap- 
tisms of adults were 27, and there is no record of confirmations. 
During the next seven years, under the rectorship of Dr. Judd, 
the baptisms of adults were 34, and the addition to the commu- 
nion were 60. Previous to Dr. Judd's ministrations the congre- 
gation in pleasant weather, numbered about 50 a and increased 
during his rectorship to about 300. William Bostwick, an ex- 
cellent and liberal Christian^ was the founder of the Parish and its 
chief supporter for years. He gave the beautiful lot on which the 
church stands. To him and to Dr. Burt, the Episcopal denomi- 
nation is principally indebted for its successful establishment in 
Auburn. 

In the rectorship of the church, missionary Phelps was fol- 
lowed by Wm. A. Clark, who remained during 1812, and subse- 
quently became Rector of All Saints Church, in New York city. 
The previous year, 1811, a sanctuary had been built. It was 
a small plain structure of wood, was destroyed by fire in 1833, 
and replaced by the present stone church. • Thus it appears that 
eighteen years after the settlement of the town the first house of 
worship was built by the Episcopalians. 



13 

D. McDonald was rector from Dec. 1813 to Feb. 1817. He 
afterwards became professor of languages in Hobart College, at 
Geneva. By the direction of his will he was buried in the yard 
of St. Peter's Church, and was the first clergyman buried 
in Auburn. 

Wm. H. Northrop was rector during 1817. His health was 
feeble, and he died early at the South. One of his successors 
says of him, that he labored "with the fidelity of a saint, the talent 
of a master, and the zeal of a martyr." 

Lucius Smith was Rector from 1819 to 1823. Samuel Sitgreave, 
from 1824 to 1826. J. C. Rudd, from Dec. 1826 to 1833. Wil- 
liam Lucas, from Sept. 1833 to Aug. 1839. Charles W. Hackley. 
from Nov. 24, 1839, to April 1840. W. Croswell, from 1840 to 
1 844. Samuel H. Coxe, from 1 844 to 1 846. Walter Ayrault, from 
1847 to 1852. E.H. Cressy, from 1853 to 1859. Charles H. Piatt, 
from 1860 to 1861. J. W. Pierson, from 1861 to 1863. John 
Brainard, the present Rector, came Nov. 1st, 1863. 

Dr. Hackley was subsequently professor at Columbia College. 
Dr. Croswell was afterwards settled in Boston. He was a 
Christian poet of high order, and eminent for his gifts and gra- 
ces. He died as the ordained servant of God might wish to die, 
on his knees, in the pulpit, having just offered the closing 
prayer of the service and pronounced the benediction. 

The number of families connected with the congregation is 
278* Number of individuals, 971. Number baptized during 
this year, ending Aug. 1st, was 47. Confirmed 50. Number of 
communicants, 334. The pastor is provided with a superior par- 
sonage, and a salary of $1,600. $800 is paid for church music. 
Income from pew rents, $3,300. Offerings, for missionary and 
church objects during the last year, $3,553; 

The Society intend to enlarge the present edifice next year, 
and as soon as this is accomplished, to build another church on 
the lot already secured at the corner of East Genesee and Ful- 
ton streets, and thus to furnish church accommodations to that 
part of the city. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUECH 

Was organized April 28th, 1819, the society was small until 
1834. The stone church in North street, recently burned, was 



14 

built by John Seymour and Talniadge Cherry, afc their own ex- 
pense, and was dedicated on the 6th day of February, 1833. 
In April, 1834, Mr. Seymour sold and conveyed by deed the 
property to the trustees of the church for 85,500, for which deed 
the trustees gave him a bond covering the amount. This bond 
was sold to James Hall, of New York, who in 1839, commenced 
a suit for its payment. There was an informality in the bond 
which held the trustees, but not the church, and a resolution 
was passed by the trustees to execute a bond and mortgage, 
conditioned as follows : That the unsold slips be first subject to 
Bale, then the basement rooms, and then the movable property, 
before the house and lot should be offered lor sale. This condi- 
tional bond and mortgage was received by Mr. Hall in exchange 
for the one he held. In January, 1841, this mortgage, together 
with another held by Daniel Miller, amounted to $5,398, and to 
meet this debt, there seemed to be no financial ability in the 
Society. The District Conference petitioned Mr. Hall to relin- 
guish a part of his claim, but in vain. Thereupon application 
was made for help to the Oneida Conference, which generously 
agreed to raise $4,000, provided the church would pay the bal- 
ance of $1,400. Tlis proposition was accepted by the church, 
and an agent appointed to raise the money. The Conference 
performed their part of the contract, but the church did not, 
and so it struggled along, with its debt increasing by interest, 
until 1859, when it resolved to make one more effort for delive- 
rance. The debt had now grown to $2,500. Another appeal 
was made to Conference. It was nobly met. Conference agreed 
to pay one half, and did so, and the church paid the balance, 
and was at last established on a sound financial basis. In 1865, 
the edifice was thoroughly repaired, and a new organ pur- 
chased under the administration of Rev. W. C Steel, and the 
total expenses of the year amounting to $5,000 were met with a 
promptness that surprised the most sanguine members. A. future 
of prosperity now seemed to be in store, after nearly a half cen- 
tury of struggling for existence,— but last April, the entire struc- 
ture, including the organ, was destroyed by fire, in mid-day. 

Fortunately there was an insurance upon the building of 
$6,000, a subscription was raised the same evening among the 



15 

members of $4,000, and the church entered with a true spirit of 
self-sacrifice upon the work of rebuilding in a more desirable 
part of the city, with enlarged accommodations, and with superior 
architecture. The fire occurred during the last day of the session 
of Oneida Conference, and the intelligence produced a profound 
sensation in the body. One member arose and exclaimed, "My 
God ! what more will the struggling church of Auburn be 
called to pass through !" The appointments of the year had all 
been made, but the question arose, who can marshall the forces 
in Auburn with the most skill? Rev. Mr. Searls was ap- 
pointed the standard bearer, who had just been assigned to 
Utica. Disciplined from boyhood to grapple with obstacles, 
and experienced in the duties which would be specially deman- 
ded, he undertook the enterprise, and has carried it forward as 
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. An eligible lot 
was bought for f 1 0,000, and the church is contracted to be built 
for $35,000. The lecture room is promised to be ready for use 
on the 1st of next January, and the church to be completed on 
the 1st of September. The old lot pays for the new lot. Be- 
sides the stone from the old building, the present available funds 
from insurance, donations, and subscriptions, amount to over 
$20,000. The contributions to the regular church benevolent 
societies during 1866 amounted to $2,850, of which $2,205 
helped to swell the great Centennary collection of $7,000,000. 
The society provide for the pastor a parsonage and $1,600. 
$1,600 salary. 

THE WALL STEEET M. E. CHUECH 

Was organized Aug. 25th, 1856, with nearly 50 members, the 
sanctuary is 30 by 50 feet, and cost $3,500. Rev. B. I. Ives 
was the first pastor, and Rev. S. Stocking officiates at present. 
His salary is $700 and house rent. The membership is 156* 

Mr. Ives came to Auburn, in July, 1856, as pastor of the 
North Street Church. He held a third service on Wall street, 
as he had a class in that district. When his term had expired 
at the North street church he organized the church in Wall 
street, in the vacated school house. A revival followed, and fifty 
members were added. Mr. Ives remained pastor for three years. 
In December 1856, he was appointed chaplain of the Prison, 



16 

which position he now holds. His present congregation num- 
bers 1,10.0, which includes officers and visitors. He has no fear 
of stormy Sundays, nor indeed of anything else. He reports 
that quite a number of his people are Christians. The Sabbath 
school which meets at half-past seven in the morning was never 
in so good a condition. The oldest teacher, the venerable Dr. 
Taylor, now 83, in ten years, has missed but two Sabbaths, and 
these occurred during the last illness of his wife. 

The two Methodist papers published in this city have exerted 
an excellent influence. The "Northern Christian Advocate" 
was organized under the present'arrangement in 1844. Dr. Lore 
is its accomplished editor. Its circulation is 10,000. 

The "Northern Independent" was established by its present 
able and fearless proprietor and editor, William Hosmer, in 
1856. Its circulation is 2,500. 

THE (SECOND PEESBYTEEXAN CHUECH 

Was organized on the 10th day of November, 1830, with sixty- 
six members. On the same day Daniel C. Axtell was ordained 
and installed. Within the first year after the formation of the 
church, 120 persons were added to the original number. In 
1832, 81 were added on confession, and 27 by letter. In 1837, 65 
were added, and in 1840 the whole number was 263. In 1853 
the number was reduced to 170. In 1859, 45 were added. In 
1864, 64 were added, and in 1867, 59 were added. The whole 
number now is 333. 

Mr. Axtell was dismissed in 1836, on account of ill health. 
He was a laborious and excellent pastor. In November, of the 
same year, Rev. L. E. Lathrop, D. D. was installed, and was 
pastor for nearly 15 years. He was a theologian of superior 
attainments, and was thorough in his pulpit preparation, but 
he was not remarkable for pastoral efficiency or for the man- 
agement of affairs. He was succeeded by Rev. E. D. Morris, in 
May, 1852, who left in November, 1855, to become pastor of 
the second Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Ohio, the capital 
of the State, where he had a large and influential congregation, 
which, during the last twelve years has enjoyed numerous revi- 
vals, and has built and paid for one of the most commodious 
and tasteful church edifices of the State. Dr. Morris has just 



17 

removed to Lane Seminary, where he is Professor of Ecclesias- 
tical History and Church Polity. 

Prof. Huntington, of the Theological Seminary, supplied the 
pulpit, until your speaker became pastor of the church, in Sep- 
tember, 1 858, and remained a little more than three years. Rev. 
S. W. Boardman, the present pastor commenced his labors in 
June, 1862, and was installed Oct. 14th. The present edifice 
was erected a little subsequent to the organization of the 
church. Extensive improvements have since been made, and 
the Society is out of debt. Two years ago a parsonage was 
added to the property of the Society. $1 ,500 salary is paid, with 
the use of the parsonage. $1,157 were contributed during the 
year 1866, to the regular benevolent operations of the Presby- 
terian Church, and $6,457 were expended by the Society. 
Total, $7,614. 

Of the formation of the Second Church, it is fitting to say, 
that it was organized for two reasons — because another church 
was needed, and because of a divergence of views between 
members of the 1st Church about measures for the promotion 
of religion. A distinction had lately been drawn throughout 
the Presbyterian and Congregational churches of the State, 
between "old measure" men, and ''new measure" men — corres- 
ponding to the distinction between Conservatives and Radicals 
in politics. The old measure men liked what was old — what 
had been tried by experience and proved to be sound — old doc- 
trines—old styles of preaching — old orders — discreet ministers. 
They feared change, lest change should involve disaster. They 
were suspicious of alleged improvement, in a system for the 
promotion of religion, which appeared to them so nearly perfect. 
They shook their heads at new fangled notions. Their fathers 
followed in the old way and walked uprightly, and they would 
not be wise above what was ordained by their fathers. 

The "new measure" men, on the other hand, were in favor of 
progress and improvement ; they were aggressive in their spirit ; 
they yearned for activity; they wished to introduce a more 
vigorous, outworking life into the body of the church. The 
former party, unless stimulated by the latter, were in danger of 
relapsing into inertness. The latter party, unless controlled by 
2 



18 

the former, were in danger of launching forth into extravagan- 
cies. These two parties were found in most of the churches, 
and were not to be deprecated, if each could only recognize the ' 
excellencies of the other. But where a church was large and a 
place was growing, the differences usually resulted in the for- 
mation of another church, and this was the result in Auburn. 
The conservatives did not approve of Mr. Finney, nor of Dr. 
Lansing, because he sustained Mr. Finney. At a meeting of 
brethren called ^to consider differences and to devise a mode of 
harmonious action, the conservatives insisted on the dismissal 
of Dr. Lansing, and as the other party would not hear to this, 
and was a majority, they withdrew, and with marked energy, 
built the Second Church. If previous to this division, a new 
church could have been organized by a colony sent forth from 
the first, with fraternal benediction, it would have been the 
best experience. But Dr. Lansing did not encourage coloni- 
zing. He loved all his people so tenderly that he could not bear 
to part with any ! And so, as a new church]was not formed in 
the "more excellent way," it had to be formed in the way 
which is now — history. 

A similar history, and yet singularly contrasted, belongs to the 
formation of the 

CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

In this case the conservatives did not leave, and the differ- 
ences had their root in national affairs, yet were extended so as 
to reach into the management of the church. 

The Central Church was started because it was needed, and the 
need was so widely appreciated, that one of its elders came from 
the Episcopal denomination, another from the Congregational, 
a third from the Dutch Reformed, the S. "S. Superintendent from 
the Methodist, the pastor from the Presbyterian, and the organ- 
izer from the Theological Seminary. 

"Central" was organized Jan. 28th, 1862, with 60 members, 
in the hall now occupied by Young Men's Christian Association. 

The present pastor was elected at that time. The chapel 
having 500 rented seats, was dedicated Dec. 12th, 1862. The 
membership is now 275. The Sabbath School quarterly collec- 
tions reach nearly one hundred and fifty dollars each. The lar- 



19 

gest amount of money raised by this church in any one year, 
(except the year in which the chapel was built,) is $4,481, in 
1864, distributed as follows : Foreign Missions, $100, Home 
Missions, $140, Sanitary and Christian Commissions, $1,130, 
Congregational Expenditures, $3,111. Last year the Home 
Missionary Collection, was $450. 

When the chapel was built and paid for, it was thought best 
for the growth of the church, that it be mutually agreed that 
the worship should be held in the chapel for five years, and 
during this time the energies and benefactions of the church 
be devoted to spiritual upbuilding and thorough organization. 
The growth of the congregation in numbers and in wealth ha s 
been greater than the most sanguine anticipated, and now that 
the five years approach completion it is felt to be unwise to build 
on the original plan. A larger lot is needed. The location on 
the corner of Court and Genesee streets is most desirable, and 
negotiations have been carried on for months, with nine heirs 
and a life interest, for the purchase of that property, but as yet 
without success. Last Spring, on credible information, that the 
property on the corner of James aud Genesee streets was in the 
market at the high price of $10,000, the trustees with commen- 
dable spirit offered to take it, but did not secure it When the 
present lot was obtained, the property in the rear and the cor- 
ner lot ought to have been purchased, but at that time the 
trustees did not foresee the present needs of the congregation. 
If no larger lot can be obtained the congregation will take down 
the present building and erect a tasteful stone church in the 
old English style of architecture, which will seat 600 people. 
A Presbyterian Church is needed in West Genesee street, which 
will accommodate 1,000. But the Episcopal Church, when en- 
larged, may accommodate the balance. When one considers 
what trouble Central Church experiences, because a sufficient 
lot was not obtained at the outset, one is reminded of ^he saying 
of a distinguished French author, "it must be that truth is a 
Divine thing, since the errors of good men are as fatal to hu- 
mmity as vice, which is the error of the wicked." 

You will permit me to add that the strength of Central 
Church, with Christ's blessing, lies in its Sabbath School, the 
joy in its Unity, and the hope in its Young People. 



20 

THE WASHINGTON M. E. ZION CHURCH 

Was built in 1847. Elder Henry Johnson, of the Genesee Con- 
ference collected the funds. The first trustees were Joseph 
Quincy, Jacob P. Jordan, and Wm, Johnson. The first pastor 
was Joseph P. Thompson. About twelve years from the time 
of organization, the Society was in debt about $200, which was 
paid by subscriptions collected by Rev, Chas. P. Bragdon, a su- 
perannuated minister, who was not of African blood. He had 
the property deeded to the Mayor and Common Council of 
Auburn. The church has just been repaired and improved at 
an expense of $400, $44 of which remains unpaid, which sum 
we shall be happy to receive to-day from any benevolent in- 
dividual. The present pastor is John H. Burley. His salary is 
$500. The membership is 54. 

There are two churches in this city with which Presbyte- 
rians do not fellowship, because the one believes too much, and 
the other believes too little ; yet a record of each is suitable. 

THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY 

Began its life about the year 1836. The first permanent pas- 
tor was Thomas O'Flaherty, who came in September, 1845, and 
remained eleven years. He returned three years ago last May, 
and is now the pastor. 

Meanwhile Rev's M. Kavanaugh, M. Creedon, and James Mc 
Glew, have been settled over the church. The first building for 
the church was bought of the Methodists, and is situated on 
Chapel street. The present edifice on North street, was built 
under the administration of Mr. Creedon, at a cost of $30,000. 
It seats 1,200. The corner stone was laid in September, 1858, 
and was finished in 1860. There is a mortgage upon it of 
$9000. The congregation numbers 4,000 souls. The income 
from pew rents and Sunday collections is $3,500. Mr. 0,Flaherty 
has an assistant, and it is designed next year to begin the 
work of erecting another church in the west part of the city. 
There is a society of the "Sisters of Mercy," numbering seven, 
in connection with the church, who devote their time to the in- 
struction of children, to the care of the sick, and to works 
of charity. The day school, which is under their charge, has 



21 

400 pupils. It is proposed soon to commence an orphan asylum. 
The Sisters of Mercy are now employed a portion of the time 
in the care and clothing of destitute children. The growth of 
this church since 1863 has been remarkable. Then only two 
thirds of the seats were rented. Now an additional building is 
needed. The present edifice was built without help from abroad, 
and its current expenses are met by its members. No help is 
expected from abroad for the erection of another church, unless 
it be an incidental gift, from some individual, or a collection 
from some sympathising congregation. 

There is a small congregation of German Catholics in Auburn, 
who are under the care of a priest who lives at Rochester. 

THE TTNIVEESALIST CHURCH 

Was organized on Academy Green, April 12th, 1821. The 
prominent men of that meeting were Lyman and William 
Paine, Jar vis and Elijah Swift, Henry Roberts, TJlysses F. 
Doubleday, Geo. Standard, and Samuel Hunter. It was reor- 
ganized under the laws of the State, April 24th, 1833. The 
prominent men at this meeting were Allen Warden, Ezekiel 
Williams, Wm. H. Coffin, E. A. Warden, Josiah Barber, 
Ira Curtis, Amos Underwood, Lyman Paine, S. Lombard, Jr., 
and Chas. Coventry. The first pastor was Geo. W. Montgome- 
ry, from 1834 to 1844. He is now residing in Rochester, in fee- 
ble health. He is one of the honored and loved ministers of 
the denomination. Previous to his coming, the variously dis- 
tinguished Orestes A. Brownson, ministered to the congregation 
as stated supply for some time. The second pastor was H. L. 
Hay ward, 1844-5, now preaching in Tecumseh, Michigan. J. 
M. Austin was the third pastor, from 1845 to 1850. W. R. G. 
Mellen, was the fourth, 1851-5. D. P. Livermore, was the 
fifth, 1856-7. D. K. Lee was the sixth, 1858-65. R. Fisk, the 
present pastor, was settled Sept. 1st, 1865. Mr. Mellen was 
sent by Mr. Seward on an embassy to Mauritius on the coast of 
Africa, and is now Secretary of the N. Y. Conference of Unita- 
rian Churches. Mr. Livermore is editor of the Chicago New 
Covenant. Mrs. Livermore w~as one of the prominent women 
in the Sanitary Commission for the North-West, and a'pioneer 
in the Chicago Sanitary Fair. 



22 

Mr. Lee is now pastor of the Bleeker street church of New 
York. I improve this opportunity to pay a tribute to the servi- 
vices of this excellent man in behalf of the country and liberty 
during his residence in Auburn. He shared with the public men 
of the city in the peculiar responsibilities and burdens laid upon 
them during the war, and his departure was felt by all the peo- 
ple to be a loss to the community. 

The present church edifice was erected in 1847, and du- 
ring the last year has been refitted at an expense of 
$1,500. Number of families now renting seats, 193. Num- 
ber of communicants, 108. Baptisms during the past year 
of adults, 8, of children 1 2. Salary of pastor, $2,000. Income 
of Society last year, $3,500. There has been paid during 
the past year, besides the above, into the General Mission- 
ary Fund of the denomination, $1,400. Other benefactions 
$196. To the Parish Library, $109. Total expended during 
the year, $5,205. The ladies have organized for the building of 
a parsonage, and the Society hope before long to make this de 
sirable addition to their property, and to the comfort of their 
pastor and his family. 

THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 

Is owned and controlled, not by a close corporation, but by 
the Presbyteries comprised in the bounds of the Synods of Ge- 
neva, Genesee, Onondaga, Utica, and Susquehannah. These 
Presbyteries elect a Board of Commissioners consisting of two 
clergymen and one laymen from each Presbytery. The super- 
intendence and management of the Institution are in the hands 
of these Commissioners, who hold office for three years. They 
elect the trustees, appoint the professors, and with the concur- 
rence of the trustees fix the salaries, and make the appropria- 
tions. It is the Seminary of the Presbyterian Church of Central 
and Western New York. 

At the meeting of the Sync! of Geneva, held in Rochester, 
February ^81 8, the subject of the establishment of a Seminary 
in Western New York, was discussed for two days, and referred 
for advice to General Assembly, which referred it back to Sy- 
nod as best competent to decide. The Synod was convened 
in this city, in August, and decided upon Auburn as the location , 



23 

if sufficient donations were made. Whereupon six acres of land 
were given by the Hardenburgh family, and two acres by Glen 
Cuyler of Aurora. The lot was afterwards increased by pur- 
chase to twelve acres. Thomas Mumford, gave $2,000 ; 1ST. 
Garrow, and E. S. Beach, jointly, $2,000 ; David Hyde, and 
John H. Beach, jointly, $2,000 ; Dr. Lansing $1,000; Horace 
Hills, $600 ; Robert and John Patty, jointly, $600. The bal- 
ance was in smaller subscriptions. The amount raised on this 
first subscription, was $16,514. At a meeting of Synod held in 
Geneva, Feb. 9tb, 1819, a committee was appointed, of which 
Dr. Lansing was chairman, to proceed with the building, and 
to secure incorporation. The interesting ceremony of breaking 
ground, took place 48 years ago next Saturday. Dr. Lansing 
held the plough and made the address, and Rev. William John- 
son, now of Owasco, offered the prayer. The corner stone was 
laid May 11th, 1820, by Col. Bellamy, of Skaneateles, a liberal 
benefactor, whose name, and that of Col. Linklaen, of Cazeno- 
via, inscribed on a silver medal, were deposited in the stone. 
On the same medal was also inscribed, "Behold I lay in Zion 
for a foundation a chief corner-stone, elect, precious." "Jesus 
Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and forever." In October, 
1821, the course of instruction commenced with eleven students. 
The Professors were Dr's. Mills, Perrine, and Lansing. Dr. 
Richards was first elected, but declined. He came two years 
after, and his professorship of Christian theology was endowed 
with $15,000, by Arthur Tappan, of New York, on the condi- 
tion that "if at any time hereafter, any Professor, on this founda- 
tion, shall not fully believe and teach the true and proper divini- 
ty of the Lord Jesus Christ, the personality of the Holy Spirit, 
the total depravity of man in his -natural state, and the eternal 
punishment of the wicked, then the founder of this Professor- 
ship reserves to himself, his heirs, executors and assigns, the 
right to reclaim and to receive back the capital fund hereby 
granted." 

Doctors Cox, Halsey, Dickinson, and Hickok, were inaug- 
urated previous to 1847, when Prof. S. M. Hopkins, of the pres- 
ent corps began his instructions. Since that year Dr's. J. Few 
Smith, Shedd and Long, have served and resigned. Dr. Hickok 



24 

has left for Union College Dr. Cox is in New York, Dr. Hal- 
sey is at Washington ville. Dr. Richards, the prophet of sound 
theology and Christian dignity, Dr. Perrine, with his hal- 
lowed modesty and truthful glowing love for the Savior. Dr. 
Mills, the scholar, poet and humorist, have passed to their 
reward. The present Professors, Dr's. Hall, Condit, and Hun- 
tington, were inaugurated in 1854, Prof. Pierce was inaugurated 
last September. 

It is a due tribute to the indefatigable industry and rare skill of 
three men, in the undesirable yet essential labor of collecting sub- 
scriptions, to record that an endowment of $12,000 for Dr. Per- 
rine's Professorship, that of History and Church Polity, was ob- 
tained by the late Dr. Miles B. Squiers, principally from mem- 
bers of the Briek Church of New York. On this subscription, 
Anson G. Phelps wrote $1,000, and then conscientiously declined 
to pay it, for the reason, as it is understood, that the Seminary 
was anti-slavery and he was a colonizationist ; but in his will 
was a legacy of $3,000. Thus did the grace of God persuade 
this Christian merchant to fulfil his obligation with compound 
interest ! But this incident should not lead to misapprehension 
in regard to the character of the Seminary. For the most part 
it was respectful to the oligarchic sceptre, which once rested 
heavily upon both State and Church. At one time it lost stu- 
dents on this account, when the influence of a visit from Theo- 
dore Weld, moved some to exalt the cause of the enslaved by 
seeking their theology where — none of the Professors claimed 
to be "sound and conservative." Indeed the prevailing senti- 
ment of the Nation exerted its influence upon the Church of 
Auburn. The apostolic remembrance of "those in bonds as 
bound with them" found but imbecile expression from some of 
the pulpits; and it is not until later years, when the logic of 
events has been irresistible, that the Church as a whole, has 
maintained the identity of Christ's gospel with concern for the 
oppressed and the unity of the race. Now, the pulpit of this city, 
with sufficient but not excessive courage, devotes a fair propor- 
tion of prayer and preaching to the cause of Freedom, Equality, 
and the Country. 

The subscription from Mr. Tappan, was obtained by Dr. 






25 

Lansing, and the money passed through his hands into the 
control of the Treasurer of the Seminary, Richard Steel. Dr. 
Lansing also went through this region of country, on collecting 
expeditions, and was largely instrumental in securing the first 
subscriptions. 

The last general subscription which filled up the endowments 
of the four Professorships, was principally obtained by the late 
Frederic Starr Jr., whose virtues have been recently and fully set 
forth by Prof. Huntington. 

The principal endowment of the new Professorship of He- 
brew, was made by Mr. Robert, of New York, that modest Chris- 
tian of systematic benevolence, who quietly endows one college 
in Constantinople, and another at Lookout Mountain. Professor 
Huntington had been for years, earnest and constant in his ef- 
forts for the founding of this additional Professorship, and this 
endowment was the result of his representations. 

That Christian philanthropist and patriot Hon Wm. E. Dodge, 
of New York, is a large donor to the Seminary. Besides other 
benefactions, he has for years paid a liberal sum towards the ed- 
ucation of from 8 to 13 students in this institution, in addition 
to those he has been educating at other institutions. 

The Seminary has had its adversities. Its early life was of 
spiritual light, but of financial darkness. So late as 1853 3 all 
the Professors except Dr. Hopkins resigned, and for one year 
instruction was suspended. 

This last year the Seminary has lost Si 0,000 by the wicked 
failure of the Weedsport Bank. This sum was given by the late 
Peter Douglas, in the stock of that Bank, and efforts to dispose 
of the stock had proved unavailing. 

The permanent funds of the Seminary are nearly $200,000, of 
which $125,000 is for the support of the Professors, and most of 
the balance for the assistance of students. The Institution is in 
sore need of a library building, of a better library, and of a fund 
for contingent expenses. Mr. Dodge has offered $7,500 towards 
a library building whenever an equal amount shall be raised. 

ARTHUR TAPPAN. 

At the time of Mr. Tappan's subscription the prospects of the 
seminary were not flattering. Only one wing of the main 



26 

building, now called in honor of a late benefactor, Case 
Hall, had been put up. At the end of three years the number 
of students was less than at the beginning. This is not strange, 
for no means had yet been provided for their support, and the 
Professors, instead of attending to their legitimate duties, were 
obliged to spend their time travelling from town to town, to 
beg a living for the students and themselves. Things looked 
gloomy. Apparently the Faculty must be disbanded. It was 
then that Dr. Lansing went to New York to see what could be 
done, and had an interview with Arthur Tappan. The result of 
that interview was a subscription of $10,000, which was after- 
wards increased to $15,000, on condition that Dr. Richard's 
would accept the Professorship of Theology. Mr. Tappan ex- 
acted the promise that his name, in connection with the endow- 
ment, should be mentioned to no one, until consent was given, 
except the Treasurer of the Seminary. Dr. Steel says, ''The 
time when Dr. Lansing informed me of Mr. Tappan's subscrip- 
tion, I shall never forget. 'All I asked of him' said Dr. Lan- 
sing, 'all I asked of him, was a thousand dollars, and I have 
ten thousand in my pocket,' and he wept like a child." 

Afterwards, in succession, came scholarships, books, furniture 
of rooms, &c, but the starting point of the whole was the time- 
ly and judicious liberality of Arthur Tappan, then a young mer- 
chant. If he had merely set down $15,000 in his will, the trus- 
tees would have looked for it in vain after his death. Indeed 
there might have been no trustees and no Seminary. Mr. Tap- 
pin did good with his money while he had it, and by a most kind 
dispensation of Providence, he was permitted through the long 
period of forty years to see the fruit of his beneficence. Hun- 
dreds of earnest, able, hard-working and honored ministers re- 
ceived their instruction in theology from the Richards Professor- 
ship, before the founder's death, and thousands of converts in 
Christian and in heathen lands, the fruits of their ministry, went 
before him to Heaven, to receive him into everlasting habitations. 
His name in past years has been often cast out as evil ; like 
Leuconomos, 

"He stood pilloried on infamy's high stage 
And bore the pelting scorn of half an age." 



27 

At least he endured the hatred of half a country. But he lived 
long enough to see the cause he championed grow up from a 
dwarf to a giant, and opinion and victory come over to his side. 
Drs. Perrine, Mills and Richards had all been pastors together 
in the Presbytery of Jersey. There they had been associated with 
Rev. Aaron Condit, father of the present professor, with Dr. Grif- 
fin, afterwards President of William's College, with Dr. McDow- 
ell and with Dr. Fisher, father of Dr. Fisher, of Utica. The 
original effort to secure Dr. Richards for the Seminary probably 
led to the coming of the other two ; and the interest which the 
Jersey Presbytery had from early times felt in this region of 
country, favored the transfer of these three pastors to Auburn 
Professorships. This Presbytery had sent Missionaries to West- 
ern New York, when this was a pioneer land. Rev. Mr. Condit 
and Deacon Ball spent three months in Missionary work about 
the region of Owego and north to Aurelius. There were no or- 
ganized churches then, or but few 9 and these good men would 
occupy much of their time in visiting at the scattered houses, 
holding religious conversation and presenting invitations for the 
preaching and sacramental services, which were held in every 
hamlet. There was also a large emigration from New Jersey to 
Western New York, and this constituted a bond of union. — 
Among the churches which founded the Seminary no Presbyte- 
ry was held in so high esteem, and perhaps none deserved to be 5 
as the noble Presbytery of Jersey. 

Dr. Perrine was a pastor in New York city, when called to Au. 
burn, with high reputation as a sound divine. He was ai acute 
writer in theological controversy, and took an active part in the 
Hopkinsian discussion. He was a warm, earnest and affection- 
ate preacher, a christian & of humility and gentleness of spirit, 
who was often likened to the apostle John. He was constitu- 
tionally ^diffident and retiring. In later life he became phleg- 
matic in temperament, lacked energy and was careless in his 
manner and easy in the performance of his professional duties. 

Henry Mills was a man of strong character and distinct in- 
dividuality. He commanded universal respect not alone by 
worth of character but also by dignity of person. His firm 
regular step as he passed from his|house to the Seminary, had 



28 

its impressive effect upon the students. He had the reputation 
with some people of lacking deep sympathies ; but the fact is that 
Dr. Mills was a man of such force and sweep of emotion, that he 
was compelled to this control of manner, lest he should be over- 
come by his feelings. When he went back to his church at Wood- 
bridge, N. J., from Auburn for the first time, he consented to 
give the evening lecture, and took for his text, "Beloved, I wish 
above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even 
as thy soul prospereth." After speaking about five minutes with 
tremulous voice and quivering lip, utterance ceased, and the 
strong man took his seat. His audience were in tears but he was 
not seen to weep. After a brief pause his successor, Mr. Barton, 
made an appropriate response and concluded the meeting. Dr. 
Mills declined to preaeh on the next sabbath and left before the 
end of the week. 

Dr. Mills was a man, in social life, of keen humor and of pun- . 
gent sayings. He had no patience with sham and abhorred it 
whenever detected in one of his profession. How he would 
probe it with sharp, incisive thrust! He had a remarkable tact 
in discerning character, and would analyze people with such a 
searching, as reminds of that Word which is recorded to be 
'sharper than any two edged sword." Towards an occasional 
student, who might need to be relieved of either conceit or indo- 
lence, he was never regarded as tender or indulgent ! But he 
did not employ his wit or sarcasm in the pulpit. His preaching 
w r as not sharp or stirring, but sober, plain, spiritual, with strict 
adherence to gospel truth. His voice was deep with a musical 
resonance in some tones. He usually extemporized the conclu- 
sion of a sermon with increased animation. His power lay in his 
scholarship, classical attainments and aptness to teach. His ac- 
curacy of knowledge and precision of statement were exemplifi- 
ed in all that he did. His penmanship w r as like printing and his 
step was like marching. He had considerable poetic ability and 
was fond of expressing himself to his friends in written rhymes, 
both pathetic and humorous. He made a translation of hymns 
from the German which is of value. 

James Richaeds w r as of a poor family of New England, and 
was brought up on a farm. There lived in Norwalk, Connecti- 



29 

cut, in the last century, two maiden women, Phebe and Sallie 
Comstock, descendants of Christopher Comstock, one of the Pil- 
grim Fathers who came over in the May Flower. They owned 
and worked a valuable farm three miles from the town ; led lives 
of Puritan piety and large beneficence ; adopted and brought up 
not a few poor or orphan boys and girls, and kept a "Minister's 
Tavern." At their house President Dwight, Dr. Fisher and the 
other divines of the day always stopped when travelling on the 
Norwalk route, and were entertained with a generous and cordial 
hospitality. As the road between their house and the village was 
rough in primeval days, they always came to church on horseback, 
accompanied by Onesimus, a slave, who rode a third horse and 
carried the portmanteau, which contained the lunch to be eaten be- 
tween the services, neatly spread upon a white table-cloth, and to 
which they invited the poor of the congregation. And let it be set 
forth in capitals that Phebe was not absent from'the cmuech 

OF NORWALK A SINGLE SABBATH FOR FIFTY-ONE YEARS ! Her 

niece, also named Phebe Comstock, succeeded to the farm and 
its prerogatives of adopting youth and entertaining ministers. 
She lived to be nearly one hundred years old. On Fore Fathers 
day she always set a bountiful table of roast beef and plum pud- 
ding, and if the table was not filled with guests the feast was 
eaten by the poor. The evening before Thanksgiving day she 
sent to her pastor two chickens and a young goose, and for twen- 
ty-three years Prof. Hall of this Seminary received this donation. 
To crown all, she provided one of the best of New England 
homes for twenty -six girls till they were married, and for thirteen 
boys till they entered upon a trade or went to College. James 
Richards was one of her boys. 

Near the close of her life, when she still retained her mental 
faculties, Prof. Hall, in calling upon her, asked if she remember- 
ed Dr. Richards. No, she did not, she did not know such a man. 
"Why, yes, aunt Phebe, you remember James Richards, who 
was pastor in Newark, afterwards Professor at Auburn Semina- 
ry ?" "Oh ! yes, surely, I remember our Jim" 

James Richards may be said to have been in all respects one 
of nature's noblemen. He was a man of tall form, large head, 
commanding stature and great dignity. His manners were unaf- 



30 

fected and honest. He hated cant, and his nature was so up- 
right that he liked to do all business in an open, frank, unreserv- 
ed way. And yet he was a man of singular sagacity, whose 
shrewdness was never at fault in competition with adroit and 
scheming management. He had a natural humor, with aptness 
in his way of stating things, and was in the habit of clinching state- 
ments with happy anecdotes, without being frightened if now and 
then the story was a little coarse. In this combination of honesty 
with shrewdness, of sober sense with humor, he was remarkably 
like Abraham Lincoln, whom he resembled also in gift; at story- 
telling to illustrate truth, and in penetratiug knowledge of hu- 
man nature. They were both original men, coming up like na- 
tive stock, autochthons, with characters of rare simplicity, and 
yet of such excellent judgment, that each was an oracle in his 
own sphere. Dr. Richards was without graces of oratory or the 
slightest ornamentation of style, with a strong, harsh voice, and 
yet there was a power in his preaching which no one could ig- 
nore. Like Mr. Lincoln he was a man of tender feeling and of 
a sympathetic nature, and when in the pulpit it was moving to see 
the blood mount to his face and the tears start to his eyes, when 
he dwelt upon the love of Jesus and the sacrifice on Calvary. 
He was a thoroughly sound Calvinistic divine and yet a liber- 
al Presbyterian, both orthodox and progressive, of the type 
wl ich is less Scotch and more American. He was a theologian 
strong in a clearly defined belief and yet appreciative of differ- 
ences and considerate towards honest dissent— equally free from 
Vagaries and bigotry, from isms and obstinacy* He and his as- 
sociates were apprehensive of the tendency to error of some of 
Mr. Finney's theological views, and of some of his measures to 
enthusiasm, and yet they were in warm sympathy with the re- 
vivals in which Mr. Finney labored, and Prof* Richards especial- 
ly took an active part in the work. One of his published dis- 
courses is a criticism on Mr. Finney's theory of faith in prayer, 
and ably presents the orthodox view. But the influence of Dr. 
Richards, which was very great, was not in what he wrote, but in 
that practical wisdom and knowledge of men, which in the for- 
mative era of a country moulds affairs. As President Lincoln in 
the State, so was Dr. Richards in the church. For twenty years 
was he the Presbyterian Bishop of Western New York. 



31 

Perhaps the highest earthly honor bestowed upon Dr. Richards 
was his election as President of the Convention, which organized 
the New School Presbyterian Church, after the exscinding act of 
1837. This Convention was held in this church Aug. 17th, 1837, 
and was composed of 155 Commissioners from Presbyteries in 
New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio and other States. It 
held its session for four days, and every resolution was passed 
with entire unanimity. Dr. Richards, Dr. Lyman Beecher, Dr. 
Cox, Dr. Halsey, Dr. Hillyer, Hon. William Jessup, of Pennsyl- 
vania, and Hon. William Brown, of Ohio, were the guiding men 
of the Convention. 

REVIVALS. 

The Church of Christ in Auburn has been, from the first, dis- 
tinguished for revivals. The leading idea of those who sustain- 
ed them, was to arouse attention to religious concerns by special 
religious meetings, and then by their daily repetition hold the at- 
tention, till it became rooted in religious conviction, and bore the 
fruit of an abiding christian character. They Were continued for 
weeks, and one, two, three, and even four meetings were held each 
day. Some were prayer meetings ; some were allotted to lay 
exhortations ; some to personal conversation ; some to preaching. 
They were held at all hours. The rising sun looked in upon a 
company of suppliants. The man of business laid down his em- 
ployment in its midst and went to the sanctuary ; and at evening, 
especially, gathered men and women, the old and the young, ei- 
ther to hear, or to exhort, or to pray, or to scoff. For the time 
all other gatherings were set aside. The social party and the 
literary lecture were made secondary. Even useful and necessa* 
ry avocations were more or less neglected. Eternal verities as- 
serted a controlling sway over the mind. And these meetings 
were continued week after week. Hence they were called "pro- 
tracted meetings." And they did not occupy the minds of a 
moiety only of the community ; they were a living presence 
among the people, and a pressure upon the public attention. 
When they did not kindle enthusiasm they at least aroused op- 
position. Few Were able to disregard, and fewer to despise. 
They were either loved or hated. 

The first of these great revivals occurred in the year 1799. 



32 

Then most of Central New York received a copious blessing. 
So marked was the work that for a generation, 1799 was called 
"the year of the great revival." One fruit of this work was the 
planting of the church in Auburn. 

The next notable revival occurred in the year 1817, the open- 
iug year of Dr. Lansing's ministrations. It commenced with his 
first sermons, and on the following August, 140 were received to 
the church at one time, filling the aisles and the space in front of 
the pulpit as they consecrated themselves to Christ. This revi- 
val was not limited to Auburn but was enjoyed by most of the 
churches in this region. 

We cannot enumerate the smaller revivals. A great revival 
began in the summer of 1826, and its direct influence continued 
for three years. It was at the beginning of this awakening that 
Mr. Finney labored in this town. The work laid hold of the hard- 
est hearts. One prominent man, on being invited to attend the 
meeting, took some silver dollars from his pocket and shaking 
his fist in the face of Christ's servant, said : "These are my gods." 
Yet that man went to hear Mr. Finney that evening, was con- 
victed of sin, and overcome by the strain upon his spirit, of a 
will in conflict with God's spirit, sank prostrate upon the floor of 
his pew with a piteous wail. He did not leave the church till 
nigh midnight. He had been one of a club which met every 
evening to ridicule the revival. After midnight he sent for his 
companions and told them of his surrender to God, and from that 
time he was a pioneer in the works of the Lord, instant in sea- 
son, out of season, fearless, successful. In a subsequent revival, 
said an impenitent man, "when I am converted I wish to be con* 
Verted like Saul of Tarsus or • ." 

Mr. Finney came to this city from Rome, where he had been 
holding protracted meetings, by the invitation of a half dozen 
men of the First Church, who spent a forenoon in consultation 
and prayer in a private room of the Bank of Auburn, and sent 
a special messenger to Rome, by the stage that afternoon, with 
the approval of the pastor. At that time it demanded positive 
convictions to give a man courage enough to be known asa"Fin- 
neyite." Mr. Finney was then, as now, one of the most remark- 
able preachers of America. With strong logical powers, and ed- 



33 

ucated as a lawyer, lie employed convincing argument. The law 
of God, in its various relations was his favorite subject, and he 
dealt largely in its terrors. Latterly he preaches more the love 
of God, and wins as well as alarms to repentance. His strength 
of mind is equalled by that of few. His emotional nature, also 
is deep, but is rarely allowed expression. He had not the grace 
nor the persuasive appeal of Dr. Lansing, nor the vocabulary 
and diction of Mr. Beech er; but for a certain scope of preach- 
ing he is unequalled, — that of impressive argument, and such 
presenting of the relations of religious truth, as in its complete- 
ness and clearness works irresistible conviction, and brings skep- 
tic, infidel and apathist alike, into broken hearted submission to 
the power of God. He discusses much the moral government of 
God as applied to human accountability. Occasionally his flights 
of imagination are lofty, and his sweep of oratory, magnificent. 

The next wonderful revival of this town occurred in the year 
1831. Mr. Finney stopped here in the spring, on his way from 
Rochester to the East, and remained for several weeks. It was 
in this revival that a distiller of this town became a Christian, 
and was so soundly converted that he not only closed his busi- 
ness, but declined to sell his distillery, and let it rot to the 
ground. That man has been an elder of the First Church for thirty- 
one years. At one time 139 united with the First Church, and 
about half that number with the Second. 

Another revival occurred in 1834, when Mr. Burchard was 
here. This noted Evangelist would preach, at the first service 
of the day, a sermon of power and aptness, but at the second 
service he would lose discretion and be guilty of extravagances 
in expression and improprieties of attitude. Unfortunately 
some of "Burchard's converts" as they were called, lacked the 
gift of continuance, and he failed to command the confidence of 
the entire church. Yet he accomplished much good. By origi- 
nal forms of presenting truth, and by peculiar illustrations, he 
arrested and held the attention of people who had been uninter- 
ested in religion. One incident will show the power of the work 
here. A well known farmer, living 12 miles south, was in the 
city, and by invitation went to one of the afternoon meetings^ 
The next day he brought his wife to hear Mr. Burchard, and the 
3 



34 

third day he rose in his seat, and said in full tone of voice "I ask 
the prayers of this church and congregation for myself and my 

wife who sits here by my side. My name is ." He had 

been an influential infidel. He was afterwards the means of es- 
tablishing in his neighborhood no less than twelve family altars. 

At a revival in 1839, Mr. Avery, now residing in Cleveland, 
who has devoted his life to the work of an evangelist, and has 
accomplished much good, labored in this town with success. 

In 1841, Rev. Samuel G. Orton, assisted Father Hopkins. 
Mr. Orton was a settled pastor in the south-western counties of 
the State, and was a holy man. 

Several revivals occurred previous to 1857, when another glo- 
rious work of the Lord prevailed. The characteristic of this 
consisted in the absence of the evangelist, the small amount of 
preaching, and the large amount of prayer meetings. The mani- 
fested excitement was but little, yet the ingathering was large and 
excellent. A good work of grace among the young people oc- 
curred in 1863. During this, Mr. Hammond spent ten days 
with us, and also the beloved Ludlow, now in glory. 

The last revival, nearly two years ago, began in the S. S. Co. 
Convention, held for three days under the leadership of Ralph 
Wells. It was distinguished for the conversion of men and 
women in the prime of life. 

SOCIETIES AND SABBATH SCHOOLS. 

We will not fail to note in the history of the church of Christ 
in Auburn, that in February, 1815, a Bible Society was formed 
at the Court House, of which Rev. H. N. Woodruff was Presi- 
dent. William Brown, Esq., V. P. Rev. Seth Smith, Secretary. 
Horace Hills, Treasurer. Rev's Phelps, Parsons, Ford, and 
Rice, and Capt. J. Rhodes, Directors. They were all mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian or Congregational church. It is 
believed that this was the first Bible Society of Western New 
York, except the Female Bible Society of Geneva, and possibly 
the Female Bible Society of Cortland. The Female Bible So- 
ciety of Auburn, was organized in 1860, through the efforts of 
Mrs. E. T. Throop Martin, who is the President. 

The Education Society early enlisted some interest, but the 
collections were small. The first reported from the Presbytery 



35 



of Cayuga is iii 1815, of ten dollars and thirty-one cents. The 
collections for Foreign Missions, Home Missions, and Tract 
Society, were liberal. 

The first County Sabbath School Society was organized in 
this city, June 30th, 1860. Every year since the Society has 
reported a gratifying progress. Two years ago, Rev. W. C. 
Steel, of the Methodist Church, and your speaker, assisted in 
part, by Rev. P. P. Bishop, of the Baptist Church, held 26 town 
conventions in the 24 towns of the county. This was designed 
to be a thorough organization of the county. During the sum- 
mers of 1866 and 1867, Mr. Henry Loomis of the Seminary, 
followed up this county work in the best way. Probably no 
part of the State is now more thoroughly enlisted in the Sab- 
bath School work than Cayuga County. This last year there 
have been added to the number of schools, 50 ; of scholars, 
2,790 ; ot teachers, 313 ; of monthly papers, 2,100. 

The first Mission School of this city was admirably conduc- 
ted by Delos E. Wells of the Seminary, in the leeture room of 
the Second Church, in 1857-8, and numbered about 100 pupils. 
After Mr. Wells left, the school gradually subsided. 

The next Mission School was started by the Central Church 
in the east part of the town, spring of 1863, J. P. Bailey, Super- 
intendent, and ever since has been a good and growing school. 

The attendance upon the Schools, last Sabbath, was as follows : 



CHURCHES. 



First Presbyterian, 

Baptist, . . T 

Episcopal,' 

Methodist, 

Second Presbyterian; 

Central, 

Roman Catholic, 

Universalist, 

Orphan Asylum, 

Prison, 

Lewis St. Mission, 

ZionM. E., 

Wall St. M. K, 

Disciples, 

Central Mission, 

Lansing St. Mission 

Francis St. Mission, 



SUPERINTENDENTS. 



S. Hall Morris, 

O. F. Knapp, 

Erastus G. Knight, 

E. Stafford, 

Dorr Hamlin, 

J.P.Bailey, 

Jas. Maxwell and Jas. Hoey, 

Dr. H. Robinson, 

P. E. Stockwell, 

B.I.Ives, 

A. Grosvenor Hopkins, 

H. B. Lindsley, 

George R. Hopping,. 

D. C. Goodrich, 

Henry Loomis, 

E. B. Lansing* 

E.L. Ford and S.C. Hoyt,.. 



258 

150 

148 

155 

111 

153 

528 

85 

85 

225 

40 

27 

81 

100 

150 

40 

52 



H O 



50 
24 
28 
39 
28 
32 
94 
26 
12 
23 
11 
7 
20 



36 
The Mission Schools are now under the supervision of the 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 

Of this Society I am happy to record the excellent organiza* 
tion, and the commencement of what will prove to be, by the 
Lord's blessing, a great and good work. The Association in- 
cludes some of the most gifted young men of the city. It has 
a commodious apartment, holds its regular meetings, and fur- 
nishes the beginning of a good reading room. It is now solicit- 
ing funds for the building of Mission Chapels, which are much 
needed. If the wealthy christians of the city would supply the 
funds it would do a noble work. 

APPLICATION. 

Christian brethren, from this history we draw one practical ap- 
plication. When the Second Presbyterian Church was built, the 
population of Auburn numbered 3,367 souls. A quarter of a cen- 
tury then elapsed, during which the population rose to 10,000, 
without the organization of a single church except the Roman 
Catholic. Nearly all that has been done by the Church of Christ 
in Auburn for church erection was done more than thirty years 
ago, when the population was between three and four thousand. 
Now the population is between thirteen and fourteen thousand. 
The First Church was built with a membership of fifty-seven. 

"Was it a piece of religious extravagance on the part of a former 
generation to do so much ? Time has justified their forecast and 
vindicated their enterprise. They have the honor and we enjoy 
the fruits of their noble work. Did they not receive their reward ? 
You will note that the period from 1816 to 1833, which may be 
called the era of religious enterprise and church erection in Au- 
burn, was also the period of the great revivals which have con- 
secrated this ground. The dedication of the First Church was 
followed immediately by one of the greatest revivals ever known, 
and by the fourfold increase of its membership. Its enlarge- 
ment was soon followed by a revival scarcely less remarkable. 
The dedication of the Second Church was followed by a glorious 
revival. The dedication of the Baptist Church was followed by 
a revival which lasted three years, a period recorded as the 
blessed era of unity, growth and joy. The payment of the debt 



37 

on the Methodist church, and its subsequent improvement were 
both followed by the best revivals the Methodist church has ex- 
perienced. The dedication of Central Church Chapel was quickly 
followed by a blessed work of grace, and the same history is 
true of the Wall Street Church. Are not these facts significant ? 
The Church of Auburn needs more and better houses of worship. 
If the First Presbyterian, Episcopal and Central Societies should 
begin now to build houses which would accommodate each twelve 
hundred people, all the seats would be taken the first year. The 
population is rapidly increasing. Shall they be supplied with 
suitable sanctuaries ? This question must be answered by the 
christians. It must be answered not only to man but to God. 
There is no escape. Doing naught is saying No — No to Christ ! 
Alas ! if any member of the Church in Auburn should fail of en- 
trance into the Kingdom of Heaven, because his money was 
withheld when the Lord asked for it — who died for you and me! 
On this Thanksgiving day, as we review our prosperity as a 
community, our progress as a nation, the happiness of our homes 
and the comfort of our lives ; as we praise God for his gifts of a 
Bible, a Sabbath, a Church and a Saviour ; as we anticipate the 
joys of Heaven, gained by the outpoured blood of priceless life, 
shall we not consecrate ourselves to this work ? And shall we 
not do it in the spirit of the text, " I am as thou art, my people 
as thy people ?" Amen. 



NOTES. 

Note A. — It is now seventy-five years since the first Louse, 
as the home of civilized men, was ferected in Cayuga County, 
Every white man, thirteen in all, then resident within the 
present limits of the county, took part in the raising. It was 
an event sure to pass into history. A piece of one of the logs 
of which it was built is now preserved as a relic. This house 
belonged to Roswell Franklin, for many years an Elder in the 
Presbyterian^Church, of Aurora. He was one of its founders, 
and a tablet to his memory adorns the halls of the church. 

Note B. — In 1*793, ten families^ started from Gettysburgh, 
Penn., and after two months pilgrimage, arrived at Ludlowville, 



38 

Tompkins Co., in July. In the spring of 1795 they came to 
Owasco, and being for the most part christian people, of the 
Dutch Reformed denomination, they immediately formed a 
church of that name. The first settled minister was Abraham 
Brokaw. For two years they held public worship at some pri- 
vate house in winter, and at a commodious barn in summer. In 
1797 they built a log church, 25 by 30 feet, with a pulpit at one 
end, and a gallery on three sides. The logs were hewn on two 
6ides, and the beams which supported the gallery were faced on 
four sides with the broad axe. The seats were made of the best 
of slabs. This sanctuary was situated six miles from Auburn, 
on the top of the hill beyond the Big Brook, the east side of 
the road, on the farm then owned by Jacob Brinkerhoff, and 
now owned by his grandson of the same name. This log church 
was used for worship till 1815, when a more modern edifice was 
built. But for many years after it did good service for the pro- 
tection of flocks, the sheep however being only the type of 
the Christian fold. This was the first sanctuary built in the 
County. Since Thanksgiving day, the writer has been prom- 
ised a cane from a preserved section of one of the timbers. 



Jt'BRARY of congress % 



022 012 463 



. 



